16/01/2023 - LOW PRODUCTION

• 
• 
• 
• 

For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield one ephah.” Isaiah 5.10

Lack of water in agriculture greatly decreases productivity. This also happens to us when we lack the water promised by Jesus, and the result is lives full of sadness, frustration and depression (John 4.14). Why are we not always well in the presence of the Most High, since this makes us happy and strong? Here is the answer: we pay attention to the devil. The Bible tells us: [...] Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5.16).

Isaiah said that the people of Judah were only interested in annexing houses, estates and possessions, but that doesn’t last forever. If we observe our way of life, we will see that our prayer boils down to asking for this or that. We forget the precious teachings of the Master, who said: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6.33). How are your prayers to God? Do you seek His Kingdom?

Almost always, we pray motivated by anxieties and not by faith, and this is a sin (Romans 14:23). We sin by not observing the Scriptures, and for this sin we have not repented. The Lord declared: Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6.34). We must heed the divine commands. Now, did the Master teach something worthless? Certainly not. Then, believe!

The good grapes that Jesus expected to be our production did not come; instead, the bad ones came. Have you ever prayed for forgiveness for failure in your spiritual life? The Lord had done what was best for His vineyard (Isaiah 5.4), but we don’t even think about the blessings received and still complain about not being perfected. We make a shameful mess of our petitions! The good thing is to recognize what has already been given to us and never waste it.

The failure to take advantage of what God has given to His Church – which is us – has caused Him to take away the protective hedge of fire around us (Isaiah 5.5; Zechariah 2.5). Now, without this, the demons feel free to tempt us in every way, and we, like ducklings, fall for their lies. The writer of Proverbs declared: How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? (Proverbs 6.9). Awake and eat the best!

The Word states that our insolent way of living is the cause of our misery: a little folding of the hands to sleep – so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man (Proverbs 6.10,11). But when a child of God decides to know why he is so afflicted by problems and evils, he discovers the cause and takes the right attitude, which will make him prosper.

Do you remember that the vineyard was built on a fruitful hill (Isaiah 5.1)? But laziness prevented it from yielding good results. So, ten acres of vineyard (approximately four hectares) will not yield more than a bath (22 liters of juice); an omer (2 liters) of seed will not yield more than an ephah (21 liters). We will change this picture by being truly converted and confirming our brothers (Luke 22.32).

In Christ, with love.

R. R. Soares